Sony investigating whether N Korea behind cyberattack on firm's film and TV studio
Concerns raised that firm's film and TV studio were targeted in reaction to soon-to-be released comedy in which CIA plots to kill Kim Jong-un
Sony is investigating the possibility that a hacking attack on its film and TV studio may have involved North Korea, which has previously reacted with outrage to an upcoming Sony comedy about a CIA plot to kill leader Kim Jong-un, a source said.
A person with knowledge of the matter said that the studio may have had several films stolen in the November 25 cyberattack that continues to cripple its computer systems.
The recent picture Fury, a Brad Pitt war movie, and the yet-to-be-released Annie and Still Alice have appeared on file-sharing sites, said the person, who sought anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter. The website TorrentFreak, a news site on file-sharing, said Fury was the second most-downloaded film at one site.
The source said the studio was looking into Pyongyang's possible involvement in the attack. The website Re/code reported on Saturday that the studio was looking into whether the attack was intended to coincide with the release of The Interview.
The comedy, currently being advertised for release in theatres on December 25, features Seth Rogen and James Franco as trash TV producers who are recruited by the CIA to assassinate Kim after he invites them to interview him.
Plans for the film drew a rebuke from the country, with a foreign ministry spokesman saying in state media that the release would be an "act of war", according to the BBC.
In a statement last week, Sony said it was investigating "an IT matter". The group believed to be behind the attack is threatening further releases of data, the person confirmed.